UF institute celebrates room's grand opening

UF informatics and data science researchers now have a new place to call home. The UF Informatics Institute, which aims to enhance data research, held a grand opening Thursday afternoon for its renovated space in the Computer Science and Engineering building, Room E251. More than 80 people attended. Previously, the space was an underutilized computer lab, said UFII director George Michailidis. Now, it will serve as an interactive space for students and faculty to share their research. The university started renovating the lab in February, Michailidis said. The renovations include two student workrooms, four conference rooms and a kitchen. “It’s important that we have coffee,” Michailidis said about the kitchen. The Office of Research funded $650,000 for the renovation, said David Norton, UF vice president of research. Data science and…